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Mackay's texts row: "I'm no racist or homophobe"

Malky Mackay has insisted he is "no racist"and "no anti-Semitic" after offensive text messages he is alleged to have sent were revealed. The former Cardiff City manager said he was under "immense pressure" at the time but admitted "it should not have happened".

It's not 'banter' - it's offensive, says Cardiff City

The League Managers Association has apologised for the statement it released yesterday regarding Malky Mackay, saying some of the wording "was inappropriate and has been perceived to trivialise matters of a racist, sexist or homophobic nature".

Rio Ferdinand is one of many to question the LMA's response. Credit: PA

A highly placed source at Cardiff City told ITV News that they are "extremely disappointed with the League Managers' Association statement, belittling highly offensive comments as banter."

The LMA released a statement on behalf of former Cardiff manager Mackay on Thursday night after the 42-year-old Scot and Iain Moody were alleged to have shared racist, sexist and homophobic texts when they worked together at the Welsh club.

The initial statement said Mackay had been under pressure at the time of the messages and that he was "letting off steam to a friend during some friendly text message banter".

That statement has been widely criticised by anti-discrimination campaigners within the game, and the LMA today felt compelled to apologise for how the first release had been worded.

It is beyond argument that any comments that are discriminatory, even used in private, are totally unacceptable. The LMA remains absolutely aware of our responsibility to the game and to promote and uphold the highest standards of behaviour.